Flow distributor



April 1951 L. HORNBOSTEL 2,548,108

FLOW DISTRIBUTOR Filed May 31, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fizz PEEP 17/057 4% fiGrzzbasZE/ April 10, 1951 L. HORNBOSTEL I FLOW DISTRIBUTOR '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1945 ZzEyEnZar Ma fiZIJZb/JSZ'TE/ Patented Apr. 10, .1951

FLOW DISTRIBUTOR Lloyd Hornbostel, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Claims. 1

This invention relates to a flow distributor and more particularly to a flow distributor for use on paper machines for regulating the flow of stock to the forming wire and controlling the desired level of stock at the screens.

It is customary in a paper making art to provide a head box equipped with adjustable bafiies, slices, or the like, for controlling the flow of stock from the head box onto the forming wire as it passes around the-breast roll of the machine. It is also customary to provide rotating or fiat screens ahead of the head box for screening the stock flowing into the head box. Various arrangements, including the silencer rolls, have also been provided in conjunction with the head box and the bafiles or slices therein, to control the flow of stock and better distribute the fibers before delivery of the stock onto the forming wire.

In accordance with my present invention I provide in the head box an adjustable bafile, or partition, and one or more imperforate rolls that are closely spaced with relation to the baflle and the bottom wall of the head box. The rolls are then driven so as to provide friction passages through which the stock must flow in its passage through the head box to the forming wire. By properly adjusting the clearances and the speed and direction of rotation of the rolls, I am able to control the head of stock flowing onto the forming wire and also the level of the stock at the screens. The arrangement also insures the proper spreading out'of the stock laterally as it passes through the head box and onto the forming wire, so that a uniform consistency of stock the full width of the forming wire can be obtained.'

It is therefore an important objectof this invention to provide a flow distributor of novel and 7 It is a further object of this invention to pro-- vide a flow distributor of such construction and arrangement as to permit accurate control of the head of stock flowing onto the wire and also the level of the stock at the screens through which stockpasses to the head box and then to the forming wire.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide a head box having arranged therein a vertically adjustable baffle and one or more imperforate rolls, together with means for driving the rolls at variable speeds to create friction passages for the flow of stock in its passage through the head box, whereby the head of stock from which delivery of stock to the forming'wire takes place may be readily controlled as well as the level of the stock at the screens, and whereby lateral spreading of the stock can be effected to secure uniform distribution of the stock for the full width of the forming wire.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a broken top plan view of the head end of a paper making machine illustrating a stock flow distributor embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a broken sectional view taken substantially along the line II-II of Figure 1 with parts in elevation.

Figure 3'is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modification of my invention.

The reference numeral It] indicates generally a head box for receiving the flow of stock from the screens l I and for delivering such stock onto the forming wire i2 as it passes over the breast roll l3 of the paper making machine. The screens, forming wire and breast roll are shown merely schematically, since these are conventional parts of the usual Fourdrinier paper machine. As illustrated, the screens include a pair of rotating cylindrical screens l4 contained within a vat I5, in which the stock is held at a level sufflcient to cause a flow of the stock through the screens l4 and out through the conduits I6 into the head box ID.

The head box In is constructed with an end wall 7 ll, through which the conduits l6 deliver the other wall portions 2| and 22. The apron portion 22 extends into close proximity to the wire as it is trained around the breast roll [3, and the end of said apron portion 22 is contoured, as at 24 to conform with the curvature of the breast roll. Stock thus flows from the apron portion :2 onto the forming wire 12 as the wire passes over the breast roll 13 to the table section (not shown) of the machine.

In order to control the flow of stock onto the forming wire 12, one or more slices are usually. ad ustably mounted above the apron to vary the head of stock and thus deliver the stockto the forming wire at approximately the same. speed of travel as that of the wire. As -illustrated in the. drawings, the forward end of the head box H3 is provided with a vertical wall 25 that is cut away at the bottom, as at 26, and a pair of vertically adjustable slices 21 and 28 are mounted just in back of the end wall 25 of the head box. The slices 21 and 2 3 are supported from the lateral walls'lil, and lsof the head box and are vertically ad ustable by means of screws and nuts29 and 35. A third, bafile. 3,] is shown as positioned above the apron portion 22 but further back in the head box than the baffles 21 and 28. A silencer roll 32 is positioned beneath the. lower end of the bafiie 3| and a v second silencer roll 3 3v is positioned in back ofthefslice 28,. The purpose of these silencer rolls is to bring about a more even distribution of the stock and to prevent thefibers from orienting themselves wholly in the direction of flow of the stock.

In accordance with my present invention, a partition or baflie 34 is positioned in the head box ifl above the lower bottom wall 2| and is provided with threaded members 35 for its vertical adjustment. The lower end of said baflle 3,5. is curved, as at 36, to conform with the curvature of the upper of a pair of rolls 31 and 38, that are positioned vertically below said curved surface 36. Asbest illustrated in Fig. 3, each of the rolls 31 and 33 is journaled. in bearing members 39 and 40, one of which is adjustably mounted upon the side wall 19 and theother upon the side Wall [8 of. thehead box I0. The bearing member 39 is provided with vertically elongated slots 4!, through which extend bolts 42 forsecuring the bearing member in adjusted vertical position to the. sidewall l9, Similarly, the bearing member 40 isprovidedwith vertically elongated slots 43, throughwhich extendbolts at for adjusting the vertical position of. the,bearing member 40 on the sidewall It. The means for raising and lowering said bearing members 39 and 40 comprise a pair of threaded rods 45, and 46, respectively, which are supported attheir. upper ends in brackets 11 and 4B from theside walls 19 and liland which are secured at their lower. ends inbrackets 49 and 58. that are either integrally formed with or attached to the bearing members 39 and 40. By loosening the lock nuts and 52 and turning the nuts 53 and 54, the operator may raise or lower the bearing members 39 and 40, providedthe bolts 52 and 44 are first loosened. Theamount of adjustment is then provided by the lengths of the slots 41 and 43.

Each of the rolls 31 and 38 is provided with a smooth, imperforate surface. One of the rolls, such as the roll 31, is driven through a variable speed motor 55, or other variable speed drive. The other roll 38 is driven through a train of gears including a gear 56 on the end of the shaft of the roll 31 and a gear 51 secured to the end of the shaft of the roll 38. Said gears 56 and 51 are preferably of different diameters, so that the rolls 31 and 38 will be driven at different surface speeds. The purpose of providing for a different speed of rotation will appear later on.

A horizontal bafile 58 (Fig. 2) provides an adjustable extension of the apron portion 22 of the bottom wall 20 of the head box. Said bafile 58 extends through the sloping wall portion 23 and is provided with a threaded adjusting member 59 to adjust the extent of the baffle 58 into the flow of stock as it passes upwardly on the delivery side of the rolls 31 and 38 and bafile 34. The bafiie 58 is for the purpose of improving the distribution of the fibers in the flow of stock through the head box to the wire.

In the operation of my flow distributor, stock is introduced into the screen vat 15 to maintain a pond in which the rotating screens 14 are immersed either partly or wholly. Usually the rotating screens I4 are only partially immersed and sprays of water are directed against the. upper portionsof the screens to dislodgeshivesand any foreign matter that becomes engaged in the perforations of the screens. The stock then flows through the conduits I6 into. the head box In between the end wall I 1 and the vertical baflie 34.

The. stock in this portion of the head box, which will be identified as the chamber C, is maintained at a level such as that indicated by the dotted line L. The flow of stock from the screens is downwardly. through the chamber 0 and either between the rolls 31 and 38 or between the upper roll 31 and the arcuate surface 35 of thelower end of the bafile 34, or between the lower roll 38 and the bottom wall2l and sloping wall 23 of the head box.

Although the rolls 31 and 38, are driven in the direction indicated by the arrows, namely with their adjacent surfaces moving in the same direction and in the direction of the flow of stock therebetween, there will nevertheless be relative movement between said rollsurfaces owing to the difference in speeds of rotation at which the two rolls are driven, as caused by the difference in the diameters of the gears 56 and 51. Therewill thus be a wiping actionbetween the adjacent roll surfaces. Similarly, there willbe a wiping action between the relatively moving. surfaces of the rolls 31 and 38 and the adjacent surface 35 and 21, 23 respectively. Owing to the relatively close spacing between these various surfaces and to the fact that all of the stock flow must be through the restricted passages so provided, there is a tend-v encyfor these surfaces to act as stock distributors across the entire width of the headbox. Lo: cal concentrations of fibers are caused to be broken up and distributed laterally during the passage of the stool; through these restricted spaces,'which are indicated by thereference characters S, S1 and S2.

Also, by varying the speed of rotation of the rolls 3-1 and 38, or by rotating said rolls, in a di-.

rection opposite ,to that shown by the arrows (Fig. 2), the rate, of flow of-stock through the passages S, S1 andSz, canbe controlled so as to vary the level of the stock, L, back at, the screens. This same effect can also be accomplished by varying theamount of clearance between the upper. roll 31 and the lower baflle surface 35, and between the lower roll 38 and the head box, walls 2| and 23. This is accomplished either by varying the vertical adjustment of the bearing members 39 and 40 through the. mediumof the threaded adjustment members 45 and 48, or by varying the vertical, djust the. baf 34. h e fi e h eade adjustment members 35, why varying both the vertical positions of the bearing members 39 and acter .L1. All of the stock from the chamber Cl passes from that chamber through the silencer roll 32 into the next chamber, C2, where the level of the stock is maintained at a point indicated, for instance, by the dotted line L2. The vertical bafile 3| will ordinarily be adjusted so as to terminate at its lower end in closely spaced relation to the silencer roll 32, as indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings, but the baffle 31 may be adjusted vertically to any desired height.

From the chamber C2, the stock must flow through the second silencer roll 33 underneath the lower edges of the slices 28 and 21, out through the opening beneath the lower edge 26 of the front wall 25 of the head box and onto the forming wire I2. The forward slice 2'! is ordinarily mounted, as shown, directly above the highest point of the breast roll [3, just ahead of the point at which the wire leaves the breast roll to travel over the Fourdrinier table structure. The slice 21, therefore, determines the volume of stock-flowing onto the wire I 2 for any given head of stock, indicated by the dotted line L2, in back of the slices 21 and 28. As previously stated, the head of stock in the chamber C2 is maintained at such a level that the velocity of the stock passing out onto the wire from under the slice 21 will be traveling at substantially the same speed as that of the wire. 7

As a result of the arrangement described of the rolls 3! and 38 and the vertically adjustable baffle 34, a more uniform distribution of stock across the machine can be realized. Also, this arrangement makes it easy to control the level of the stock, L, in the screen vat l5 and the heads of stock, L1 and L2, on the delivery side of the baflle 34.

In the modification of my invention illustrated in Figure 4, in which the head box 68 may be otherwise similarin construction to the head box I0, stock is delivered to the head box through a conduit 6! connected to the lower wall 62 of said head box near the back end thereof. A single roll 63, similar to one of the rolls 3'! or 38, is rotatably mounted near the bottom wall 62 and just in front of the sloping wall 64. A baffle 65, similar to the baflle 34 and mounted in a similar fashion for vertical adjustment, is positioned vertically above the roll 63, with its lower curved surface 66 closely spaced from and conforming with the curvature of the roll 63. A baffle 6'! similar to the baffle 58, is mounted in horizontal position for sliding movement toward or away from the bafile 65.

In the operation of a head box arranged as illustrated in Figure 4, stock is pumped into the head box through the conduit 6| to maintain a desired level within the chamber 0. The stock flows from the chamber C through the restricted passages formed between the surface of the roll 63 and the curved lower surface 66 of the bafile 65 and between the surface of the roll 63 and the inner surfaces of the walls 62 and 64 of the head box. The relative movement between these surfaces brings about the friction effect previously referred to. By varying the speed and direction 6 of rotation of the roll 63, the level of the stock in the compartment C and in the compartment C1 can be varied as previously described.

In the further modification of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, the head box In may be identical in construction with the head box In already described. An adjustable vertically disposed baflle 6B is positioned to provide the compartment C, but in this case is formed with a plane lower surface 69 instead of a curved surface. vBeneath the lower end 'of the baflle 68 are positioned a pair of rolls l0 and H with their axes in vertical alignment. A pair of similar rolls, indicated by the reference numerals l2 and 13 are mounted for rotation in horizontal spaced alignment with the rolls 10 and II, respectively, and endless belts 14 and 15 are trained over the pairs of rolls 10 and 12, and ll and 13, respectively. Said belts l4 and 15 may be formed of any suitable web material having relatively smooth surfaces, such, for instance, as rubber, rubber composition, or a rubber coated fabric. The belts may be driven through the rolls 10, ll, 12 and 13, so that the adjacent passes of the belts run in the direction indicated by the arrows, but preferably the belts are driven at different surface speeds to effect the frictional action upon the stock that has previously, been described. By the use of belts, as illustrated, the frictional passages, indicated by the reference characters P, P1 and P2, provide more or less elongated restricted paths for the flow of stock from the compartment C into the compartment C1. By varying the vertical heights of these passages P, P1 and P2, and also by varying the speed of the traveling belts l4 and 15, the operator can control the level of the stock in the compartment C and the compartment C1, in a manner similar to that already described.

It will thus be apparent that I have provided a flow distributor so constructed and arranged as to insure a uniform distribution of the stock across the machine and also to facilitate the control by the operator of the stock levels at the screens and at the delivery end of the head box in back of the slices, whereby both the character of the stock and its rate of flow onto the machine can be accurately controlled.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not

7 the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 7

1. In a stock flow device including a head box, a pair of parallel, superposed, closely spaced imperforate rolls mounted in said head box in closely spaced relation to the bottom wall thereof, a bafile adjustable into closely spaced relation to the upper one of said rolls, and means for revolving said rolls to provide friction passages for the flow of stock between the closely spaced surfaces of said rolls, said baffle and said head box bottom wall.

2. In a stock flow device including screens, head box, breast roll and a wire trained around said breast roll, means in said head box for controlling the level of stock at said screens and the head of stock ahead of said wire, said means including a vertical baflle and a pair of superposed, closely spaced, parallel rolls disposed for relative rotation between the lower end of said baffle and the bottom wall of said head box to relative rotation between the lower end of said bafile and the'bottom. 'wall of said head box and means for rotating said rolls in closely spaced relation to create a. frictionpassage for the flow of stock therebetween..

4. In a stock flow device including, screens, head box, breast roll and a wire. trained around said breast roll, means for controlling the level of stock at said screens and the head of stock ahead of the wire, said means comprising avertical, adjustable. bafile in said head box, a. pair of rolls mountedfor rotation in adj'ustably spaced, parallel, superposed relation between. the. lower surface of said bafiie and. the. bottom wall of. said'head box, and means for rotating saidrolls at, a controlled speed to increase or retard the. rate of flow of stock between. said. rolls and between said rolls. and the lower surface of said baflie and said bottom wall.

5., In a stock. flow device including screens,

head box, breast roll and a wire trained around I said breast roll, means for controlling the level of stock at said screens and the head of stock aheadlof, the wire, said means comprising a vertical adjustable baflle in said head box, a pair of'rolls mounted for rotation in adjustably spaced}. parallel; superposed relation between the lower surface of said baffle and the bottom wall of said head box, andmeans for rotating said rolls at a controlled speed" to increase or retardv the rate of flow of stock between said rolls and'between said rolls and. the. lower surface of said bafiie and said bottom wall, said lower surface being curved to conform to the-curvature of the adj agent roll.

6. In a stock flow device including screens, head" box;. breast roll and a wire trained around saidbrea'stroli, means/for. controlling the level of stockat said screens and the head of" stock ahead of the wire, said' means" comprisinga vertical' adjustable bafila in said head box, a pair or rolls mounted for rotation in adjustab'ly' spaced, parallel; superposedrelation between the" lower surface of said baffle and the bottom wall of said head cox, and a variable" speed motor' for rotating said rolls at a controlled speed to increase or retard the rate of fiow"ofstock' between said rolls and between said rolls and the lower surface of said baffle and said bottom Wall;

trained about abreast roll for receiving stock flowing from said head box, the improvementof a plurality of rotatable rolls within' said head box beneath th normal level of stock therein parallel to each other extending acrossthe=liead box transversely. to the direction-of stock flow therethrough and having closelyspaced' imper forate surfaces forming a-horizo ntal stool? flow passage; therebetween, means. for rotating said:

rolls so that their adjacent surfaces move in the same direction but at different speeds to exert a scrubbing action on stock passing therebetween, and baflie means also extendingv transversely to the flow of stock through the head box and terminating in closely spaced relation to said rolls to channel stock flow to said rolls.

8. In a stock flow device for a paper making machine including a head box adapted for the flow of stock therethrough and a forming wire trained about a breast roll to receive stock flowing from said head box, the improvementwhich comprises a plurality of closely spaced relatively movable imperforate members within said head box beneath the normal level of stock. therein extending across said head box transversely to the direction of stock flow therethrough and having closely spaced parallel imperforate surfaces forming a horizontal stock flow passage therebetween, at least one of said members being a rotatable roll having a smooth imperforate surface, and means for rotating said roll at varying rates of speed to exert a scrubbing action on stock passing between said members for subsequent introduction onto the forming wire.

9; In a stock flow device including a head box, a breast roll and a wire trained about said breast roll, means in said head box for controlling the level of stock ahead of saidwire, said means including, a vertical bafiie; a pair of superimposed closely spaced parallel rolls disposed for relative rotation between the lower endof said baili'e and th bottom wall of said head box; and a separate endless belt trained about eachof said rolls to create a friction passage for the flow of stock therebetween.

10. In a stock flow device including a head box, a breast roll and a wire trained about said breast roll,.means in said head box for controlling the level of stock ahead. of said wire, said means including a verticalbafll'e; separate pairs of superimposed closely spaced parallel rolls disposed" for relative rotation within said head'box; said pairs of rolls being spaced Within said bo'x' along the path of stock flow. therethr'ough with one pair of rolls being interposed between the lower end of said bailie and the bottom wall of said head'box; and a separate endless'belt trained about corresponding. rolls of each of said pairs of rolls to create a friction passage for the fiow' of stock therebetween.

LLOYD HORNBOSTEL.

REFERENCES CITED- The following. references are of' record in the fil'e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS? Number Name Date 38,698 Rutledge May 26,. 1863 155,152 Genin Sept; 22, 1874" 721,378 Malsden Feb. 24, 1903 1,157,149 Conger Oct. 19, 1915 1,437,808 Jones Dec. 5, 1922' 1,534,080 Russell Apr. 21'', 1925 1,708,724 Haug Apr. 9, 1929 1,775,905 Lang Sept. 16, 19 30 2,249,507 Van Derhoef Ju1y'15; 1941" 2,371,692 Hornbostel Mar; 20, 1945 2,381,286 Hornbostel et' al. Aug. 7, 1945 

